MK forum

I had to see this to believe it.

But yes, there it is: on the New Tribes Mission Facebook page, a comment by Macon Hare (Jr), following a link to a very positive, upbeat article about a family from Australia. This family kept their four children with them in the village in the Philippines, homeschooled them, and from the sounds of it, these MKs have had a great multi-cultural MK experience, as did I.

https://www.facebook.com/newtribes

http://usa.ntm.org/mission-news/79459/l ... n-cultures

What's troubling me deeply is not the family photo of a great-looking bunch, with fresh faces, bright smiles, and sparkling eyes. The Facebook link to the article has been "shared" 56 times, and I have seen it shared on my own newsfeed, by my own friends. What is troubling me is the comment posted there on the New Tribes Facebook page, written by none other than Macon Hare, who is the son of Macon Hare Sr, and the older brother of Bing Hare. We of the Fanda Eagles family have seen these names before.

Macon's Facebook comment is short and to the point: "Never lose a nights sleep worrying about raising your children overseas."

Never lose a night's sleep? How are we supposed to unpack that sentence? Your kids aren't worth worrying about? Don't worry about it, just go? Nothing bad will ever happen to your kids overseas, you will never toss and turn and worry about choices made which can never be undone? Don't give another thought to your child's pain, just roll over and go back to sleep? What? What?

To post this glib sentence, this week, of all weeks, when so many of us ARE in fact losing sleep over the Vianopolis investigation debacle, seems to me to be astoundingly insensitive. Dbarney is right .... is there really so little awareness of current events which are deeply impacting so many of us who care about real adults, with real names and real stories who were in fact children raised overseas?

And such an ironic choice of words, when many of us do actually have to take medication to even be able to get some sleep. Natural, restful sleep can be elusive, for those with PTSD flashbacks or life-long regrets.

Macon, this forum is open for your apology.

Paul, teased at every turn

Real phone call communication, or face to face can do wonders.

Some humor, bemused. I needed that. I was having a low moment

I've thought about the face-to-face thing -- in fact just yesterday, but it's not possible at the moment.

All things are possible for those who . . . .

It would appear that the posting has now been removed.

Dear Members of New Tribes Mission (NTM) USA

The NTM USA Executive Board has completed its response to the report created by the Independent Historical Abuse Review Team (IHART) regarding East Brazil.

As was reported at the beginning of the review process, NTM USA provided pertinent records and contact information to the independent team doing this research. This team was made up of experienced investigative professionals (1). They had a clear mandate to thoroughly review all allegations of child abuse and report their findings to the authorities, to the NTM USA Executive Board, and to those directly involved.

The IHART team made the finding that there were failures on the part of some personnel in the areas of leadership, oversight of minors, and child safety in East Brazil during the years specified below.

After the team finished their report, an independent recommendations panel (2) reviewed the results. The panel’s task was to recommend outcomes for persons named in the report regarding misconduct directed toward minors.

The NTM USA Executive Board reviewed the East Brazil report and the recommended outcomes from the independent recommendations panel and compiled a list of action steps to be implemented. Because you are a member of NTM USA, you are receiving this summary of the East Brazil report findings and subsequent actions being taken.

Please note that this confidential personnel information is for NTM USA members only. Please do not forward or post any portion of this report or otherwise share it outside New Tribes Mission USA without the express written consent of NTM USA.

Scope of the investigation

In May 2011, NTM USA commissioned an independent review of allegations of abuse in East Brazil [more information (3)]. The investigative team interviewed or received statements from 60 people including former students, staff, and leadership. Most of the interviews were conducted by phone or in person, but members of the team also traveled to East Brazil to conduct some interviews. The allegations the team received related to incidents that occurred between 1983 and 1998.

Recommendations and Actions

Based on the findings of the IHART team, the recommendations panel identified five people whose misconduct was such that, had they still been members, they would have been dismissed. The following actions are being implemented by NTM USA with regard to those five individuals:

1. Steven Armour had been previously dismissed from NTM USA membership in 1999 because of acts of misconduct committed against minors. The IHART findings affirmed that NTM’s dismissal of Mr. Armour was justified. At the time of his dismissal, his sending church was informed of the reason for the dismissal. Mr. Armour is being asked to contribute to the MK Counseling Fund.
2. Frank Parker, deceased 1996, was identified by the IHART findings to have committed acts of misconduct against minors.
3. Dawn Canright resigned from NTM in 1997. Because of the IHART findings, her former status with NTM USA is being changed from “resigned” to “dismissed” for acts of misconduct committed against minors. Ms. Canright is being asked to contribute to the MK Counseling Fund.
4. Jerome Wnuk resigned from NTM is 1998. Because of the IHART findings, his former status with NTM USA is being changed from “resigned” to “dismissed” for acts of physical misconduct committed against minors. Mr. Wnuk is being asked to contribute to the MK Counseling Fund.
5. Roger Bailey III has not been a member since 2006. Because of the IHART findings, he will receive a Letter of Notice from NTM USA stating that he is never eligible to re-enter NTM because of an act of misconduct committed against a minor. At the time of the act of misconduct, a letter was sent to his sending church informing them of his action.

Report to Authorities

The coordinator of the investigative team reports that the results of the investigation, pertaining to the above named individuals, have been reported to the local, State, and Federal authorities.

Additional Actions

In addition to the above, a copy of the findings for each individual listed has been placed in that person’s NTM USA personnel records. These individuals will never be considered for reinstatement in NTM USA.

Based on the IHART findings, the recommendations panel also identified a few other individuals whose misconduct or failures in leadership necessitated disciplinary actions, but not dismissal. Each of those individuals has been given a copy of the findings related specifically to him/her, a letter of reprimand, and a list of disciplinary action steps being taken by NTM USA. Copies of each of these documents will be placed in their personnel files. Certain individuals will be asked to contribute specified amounts to the MK Counseling Fund and write letters of contrition.

NTM USA has written letters of apology which will be sent by the IHART Coordinator as appropriate. In the letters, NTM USA expressed sorrow to the MKs for the experiences they went through and also thanked them for speaking up and sharing their stories.

In Closing

In the midst of this disheartening review of past failures, it was encouraging to note that the investigative team reported that there were also testimonies of happy memories of the school. Also, the recommendations panel commented on improvement in NTM’s response to allegations in the late 1990’s. However, the focus of this review and the subsequent report was to identify specific areas of failure.

It is our hope and prayer that those who spoke out will draw some comfort from knowing that their voices have been heard and that they have made a difference. Their bravery has been a catalyst for NTM resulting in better care and oversight of children.

We also pray that the knowledge of past failures will strengthen the commitment of every current NTM member to be alert to signs of possible abuse and vigilant in their efforts to provide safety and protection to the children around them.


On Behalf of the NTM USA Executive Board

Brian Shortmeier
Director of Child Protection and Chief Administrative Officer
New Tribes Mission USA

Dan Kreider
Director of Operations
New Tribes Mission USA

This information is for NTM USA members only. Please do not forward any edition or portion of eNews, or post them on any website, or otherwise share them outside New Tribes Mission USA without the express written consent of NTM USA.

____________________________________________

1. East Brazil IHART Professionals

Appointed by IHART Coordinator Pat Hendrix, the team consisted of:

- Lead investigator Richard Ramirez
- Investigators Jim Richter, Randy Coffman, Doug Mills, Susan Roegner, and Joe Pirone
- Psychologist Kristen Ramirez

The team had a total of over 250 years of criminal investigative experience, pastoral care and counseling.

2. The East Brazil Recommendations Panel was chosen by IHART Coordinator Pat Hendrix and consisted of:

- Coordinator Pat Hendrix
- One of the investigators from the East Brazil team
- One parent of an MK survivor (unrelated to MKs on the panel and unrelated to the field of East Brazil)
- One counselor
- One pastor (un-associated with NTM or any MKs)
- Two NTM USA MKs (abuse survivors unrelated to the Field of Brazil)

The Recommendations Panel met together to study the report prepared by the IHART team. After determining what they felt would be appropriate outcomes for the people mentioned in the report, the team met with two NTM representatives to communicate their recommendations and answer any questions the representatives might have. The recommendations were then sent by the IHART Coordinator to the NTM USA Executive Board members for their consideration and implementation.

3. More information NTM USA policy prefers that local authorities handle the investigation of any allegation. However, if local authorities are not planning to investigate, or, in certain overseas circumstances where it would be best for the alleged victim, the investigation will occur according to NTM USA’s established policies and procedures.

And of the three dismissed members who have been "asked" to contribute to the MK counselling fund, how many will?

My guess is zero. If NTM can even find these people, given that previously they have stated that they can't find previous members and have few historical record and ask them nicely to donate a bit of money, I'd say there is unlikely to be any reply and if there is, it will be @%#%#$ off!

It's pretty lame punishment for criminal activity, even by liberal standards.

Thanks for posting this.